WORTH WATCHING

Production Announcement for Rian Johnson's 'Star Wars: Episode VIII'

"Ladies & gentlemen, welcome to Episode 8!" Disney/Lucasfilm have launched a very short hype video to announce the official start of production on Star Wars: Episode VIII (which still doesn't have a title), being directed by Rian Johnson from a screenplay also written by Rian Johnson (Looper, The Brothers Bloom, Brick). This video doesn't show any footage, but does include a tiny glimpse of the return of Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, who was barely in The Force Awakens. Obviously we will be following along as they continue shooting for the next few months. Check out the short announcement video below.

Here's the first production announcement video for Star Wars: Episode VIII, direct from YouTube:

Description from YouTube: "Cameras roll for the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, written and directed by Rian Johnson." The original casting announcement for this next Star Wars movie stated: "Rey took her first steps into a larger world in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and will continue her epic journey with Finn, Poe, and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the continuing Star Wars saga, Star Wars: Episode VIII, which began principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London on February 15, 2016." The cast includes Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and everyone from The Force Awakens. Disney will release Lucasfilm's Star Wars: Episode VIII in theaters everywhere on December 15th, 2017. Follow all Star Wars updates here.

I agree that's the reason but getting JJ to do TFA wasn't just about money. It was about doing it right.

Jon Odishaw on Feb 15, 2016

6

Not beat a dead horse or not saying that their intent wasn't well, the end result is IMO, unoriginal playing it safe 'we make money no matter what'. So no matter how you will bend it , nothing about EP7 was 'right' IMO.

I give you that. Part of the reason I love Empire so much is of course its Nostalgic connection for me. You can never recreate that. However I still feel JJ and Kasdan took the easy route on the TFA. All the actors were fine but it was all so unoriginal. But to each its own.

Considering the promotion and franchise recognition JW would made a shitload of money even if it was directed by Lady Gaga (strangely, in that case maybe even more haha) so it isn't exactly the factor in my opinion.

Butchy Butch on Feb 15, 2016

15

Same feelings exactly. :/

Xerxexx on Feb 15, 2016

16

You can't go wrong with trevorrow.
He did a great job on safety guaranteed and a solid job on jurassic world.
Sure bet for the star wars franchise...

I would like the peoples opinion; so why is it exciting for Rian Johson to helm SW? Considering his small resume.....

Cyberdine on Feb 15, 2016

18

Irvin Kirshner had a small resume before helming Empire strikes back.

Chrisscros on Feb 15, 2016

19

Exactly. This. Rian did Looper which was (IMO) a small but brilliant movie. He's a creative director and its going to be interesting how deep he can dig considering he ALSO wrote the script. Huge task.
But after the JJ garbage, Rian should have no problem making VIII not only better but his own. I wish him luck.

Looper was pretty creative. I do love originality when it comes to film so hopefully you are right and he delivers something that defines his originality in SW VIII.
Even though you may think JJ's was garbage, he still has a very huge task to perform in making it better than his. Good luck to him tho.

Cyberdine on Feb 15, 2016

24

True. IDK tho.......different times in acting and directing.

Cyberdine on Feb 15, 2016

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For me, he did an excellent job with Brick and Looper. He has a very original flair to his direction.

Xerxexx on Feb 15, 2016

26

Ok....I did enjoy Looper; however you can't go wrong when you have Bruce Willis in your movie cause that guy needs very little direction. JGL ain't so bad either. Haven't seen Brick yet so I'll have to take your word for now. Thanks for your input.

He also directed some of the better episodes of Breaking Bad, including the critically acclaimed 'Ozymandias'

Slamdunkerdonkey on Feb 15, 2016

30

I'm aware of his connection to BB; however SW is a way different animal on a grand scale.

Cyberdine on Feb 15, 2016

31

True but the Russo brothers went from community and arrested development to knocking Winter Soldier out of the park.

Jon Odishaw on Feb 15, 2016

32

Very true. I don't doubt Rian, I'm just getting a feel for what others have seen that I may haven't.

Cyberdine on Feb 15, 2016

33

It is different, but I think SW has an overlap with BB in its influence from Western movies, down the showdowns at the end. And the scale between the two isn't really that different, just two different genres. Both quite operatic.

Terry Craig on Feb 15, 2016

34

Looper was very oke, but brick a total disappointment.
But hey it must be very bad to let it flop, so prob for the merchandise.
People will go in flocks when it's getting a 7,its star wars...

Del Toro will bring the pain. If he is not the villain of this one, I will be saddened. His presence versus Driver's is not even a contest. // I am ready for 2017!!~

DAVIDPD on Feb 15, 2016

36

THAT WAS BRAND NEW FOOTAGE. Technically. The shots of Luke and Rey WERE NOT in Episode 7. I just checked moments ago. It's the same sequence, yes, but new angels, suggesting that Episode 8 will pick up exactly where 7 left off, at least with their story (or it'll be in a flashback). They filmed this stuff on Skellig Michael in like September 2015, if I recall correctly, during pre-production for 8, which was highly publicized at the time. THIS IS BRAND NEW FOOTAGE. Technically. It's not exciting, but it doest tell us something new.

davidshaw on Feb 15, 2016

37

Indeed. In fact, the tone is different too. It's sunny in these new shots, which it wasn't in Ep VII.

Snev De la Fontaine on Feb 16, 2016

38

Im pretty sure this is not new footage from EP8 but maybe some unused angles from EP7. You don't really think they start shooting Monday and would release immediately even a single shot? It would be big news and the official site would DEF make a mention of it.

Watching VII I was expecting something totally out of the box, like when Ren told Max VS that he will show him the dark side and Max said you may try... I thought for sure Max was going to whip out a red bladed lightsaber!! Man that would have been tits!! I get this from the rumor mill of what Max's characters last name was which supposedly meant red hot iron or something in Japanese. Oh well, it was still tits!!

CyraNOSE on Feb 18, 2016

41

There's a brand new one, just out, it has deleted scenes and dialogue and an extension of this VIII teaser. It's called VIII Rise of the Jedi + deleted scenes on youtube. Pretty freakin' awesome!